
Fast, private, open-source voice dictation for macOS that turns speech into text anywhere you can type, fully on-device.
Fast, private, open-source voice dictation for macOS that turns speech into text anywhere you can type, fully on-device.
Yap is a free, open-source dictation app for macOS built by Frigade. It uses Apple's on-device Speech framework to transcribe voice into text anywhere you can type, from a terminal to a browser, with no account, no API key, no audio ever leaving your Mac, and no telemetry. One rebindable global shortcut starts and stops recording, and the transcribed text is pasted into whatever field currently has focus. It works fully offline, keeps a local searchable history of every transcript on the Mac, and is distributed via Homebrew and GitHub. The Frigade team built it internally to prompt coding agents, write emails, and fire off Slack messages faster, and open-sourced it under the MIT license.

Yap is a fast, private, open-source voice dictation tool for macOS that converts speech into text wherever you can type, operating entirely on-device. This eliminates the need for internet connectivity and ensures user data remains secure and private.
Yap harnesses advanced speech recognition technology to provide seamless voice dictation capabilities on macOS systems. Users can dictate text into various applications, from word processors to email clients, without needing an internet connection. This is particularly beneficial for those who prioritize privacy, as all data processing occurs locally.
Yap's open-source nature means that developers can customize it to fit specific needs, contributing to a growing community of users and developers. This flexibility allows for modifications and enhancements, making Yap a dynamic tool in the voice dictation landscape.
Yap is a voice dictation tool for macOS that operates entirely offline, utilizing Apple’s on-device Speech framework. It allows users to dictate text into any application with a global hotkey, ensuring privacy and ease of use while maintaining a searchable history of transcripts for efficient reuse.
Yap leverages cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless dictation experience on macOS. Here’s how it works in detail:
On-Device Transcription: Yap uses Apple's Speech framework to transcribe audio locally, meaning your voice data is never sent over the internet. This feature is critical for users concerned about privacy, especially when dealing with sensitive information such as medical or legal documents.
Global Shortcut: Users can set up a single, customizable keyboard shortcut that activates Yap from any application. Whether you're in a chat app, email client, or code editor, simply pressing the designated key allows you to start or stop dictation instantly.
Pasting Into Focused Field: Once you've dictated your text, it will automatically paste into the active field of the application you are using. This feature enhances productivity, allowing for seamless transitions between applications without the need for manual copying or pasting.
Offline Functionality: Yap is designed for use in various environments, including flights or areas with limited connectivity. Since it operates entirely offline, you can dictate notes, commands, or messages without worrying about connectivity issues.
Local Searchable History: All transcripts are stored locally on your Mac, allowing you to search through past dictations easily. This feature is especially useful for recalling previously dictated commands or notes, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Specialized Use Cases: Yap is particularly beneficial for professionals who need to dictate longer prompts into AI coding agents like Claude Code, Cursor, or ChatGPT. It's also ideal for drafting emails and Slack messages hands-free, making it perfect for multitasking environments.
Terminal Dictation: Developers can use Yap to dictate commit messages or complex shell commands directly into a terminal window, streamlining the coding process.
Yap offers several key features for seamless dictation on macOS, including on-device transcription for privacy, a global shortcut for easy access, offline functionality, and a searchable local history of transcripts. This makes it ideal for users needing efficient, reliable dictation without internet dependency.
Yap is designed to enhance the dictation experience on macOS, leveraging Apple’s on-device Speech framework. This means all audio processing occurs on your device, ensuring that your data remains private and secure. No audio data is transmitted over the network, making it a great choice for users concerned about confidentiality.
On-Device Transcription: By using Apple’s technology, Yap guarantees that your dictation is swift and secure. This feature is especially beneficial for professionals who handle sensitive information, such as legal or medical practitioners.
Global Shortcut: Yap allows users to set a single rebindable hotkey, which can be used to start and stop dictation from any application. Whether you're composing an email, coding, or chatting, this feature enables a fluid workflow without the need to switch applications.
Offline Functionality: One of Yap's standout features is its complete offline capability. You can dictate without an internet connection, making it perfect for travel, remote work, or areas with unreliable service. This feature ensures that your productivity isn’t hampered by connectivity issues.
Local Searchable History: Yap saves every transcript locally on your Mac, allowing for easy retrieval and reuse. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently reference past notes or conversations. You can quickly search for keywords within your transcripts, streamlining your workflow further.
Yap is designed for a wide range of users, including developers, busy professionals, travelers, and those who prioritize privacy. It enhances productivity by allowing voice dictation for coding, drafting messages, and taking notes in various environments, all while ensuring sensitive information stays secure.
Yap serves multiple user segments by providing a versatile voice dictation solution that enhances productivity and privacy.
Developers and Coders: For software developers, Yap allows the dictation of longer prompts into AI tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or ChatGPT. This means developers can focus on their coding tasks without the distraction of typing. For instance, when working on a project, a developer can dictate complex queries or commands, enabling them to maintain their flow.
Busy Professionals: Yap is perfect for professionals who juggle multiple tasks. With its capability for fast Slack and email drafting, users can fire off messages hands-free. This feature is particularly useful during meetings or while multitasking, allowing users to keep communication flowing without losing concentration on their primary tasks.
Travelers and Privacy-Conscious Users: Yap is invaluable for those who travel frequently. It allows users to dictate notes and ideas during flights or in areas with low connectivity, eliminating reliance on cloud services. Furthermore, Yap is ideal for writing sensitive information, such as medical and legal notes, as it processes data locally, ensuring privacy and security.
Yap is completely free to use for all users. There are no hidden fees or subscription costs, allowing individuals and businesses to leverage Yap's features without any financial commitment. This makes it a highly accessible tool for enhancing productivity and communication.
Yap is an innovative AI tool designed to streamline communication and enhance productivity. Users can take advantage of its features without worrying about any financial obligations. The free model is particularly beneficial for startups, freelancers, and anyone looking to optimize their workflow without incurring additional expenses.
With Yap, users can perform tasks such as transcribing conversations, generating summaries, and managing schedules effortlessly. For instance, a small business owner can utilize Yap to transcribe client meetings for free, ensuring they capture vital information without needing expensive software.
Additionally, Yap's user-friendly interface makes it accessible for individuals at any tech-savvy level. It is compatible with various devices, allowing users to integrate it into their daily routines seamlessly. Whether you are a student needing to record lectures or a project manager tracking team meetings, Yap provides the necessary tools without any cost barriers.
To get started with Yap, visit frigade.com/yap to sign up for an account. Once registered, you can explore Yap's features, integrate it into your workflow, and begin creating AI-driven applications with ease.
Yap is an advanced AI tool designed to streamline various tasks, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. To begin, follow these steps:
For example, if you want to create a chatbot, you can easily set it up with predefined templates and customize it according to your business needs.
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